Finnish Local Government Barometer 2000: Inhabitants

The survey probed citizens' opinions on their personal political influence, and how it could be increased. The respondents expressed their views on how the top-level municipal officers should be elected, how long their periods in office should be, and what kind of role political parties and politicians play in local government. The respondents' own willingness to participate in municipal duties was also assessed. The respondents were asked several questions about the correlation between the level of the municipal tax and the supply of local government services. Views on the municipal administration, and the adequacy or inadequacy of services were also canvassed. The respondents were asked to name characteristics they value in their own local councillors, and to describe the general image of the Finnish municipalities and local administration. They also assessed the significance and effectiveness of municipal management. Attitudes towards the consolidations of municipalities and municipal divisions were studied. Background variables included the respondent's sex, age, education, whether R has the highest income level in the household (head of household), household income, household composition, the occupational group and economic activity of the head of the household, R's occupational group and economic activity, political affiliation, and the type of neighbourhood.